Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
It takes me a bit to gather up my purse, food, and drink, making sure I keep my keys readily available, but the second I’m inside my place, a sense of peace comes over me, and I kick off my cute leather cowgirl boots with pink stitches. They’re my favorite, and I don’t get to wear them nearly enough. I wonder if there’s a certain man who would invite me to his ranch. Maybe we can ride his horses, meander around his property, and soak in the day. Yep, tonight seems to be just the beginning, even if this is a fake relationship, though at times it definitely doesn’t feel that way.
Chapter 5
Beau
“I’m getting too old for this shit,” I toss out as I swallow a couple of aspirin before chugging a cup of black coffee. I’m lucky as hell the neighbor kid comes up to the ranch on the weekends. That way, my animals don’t have to wait till I crawl out of bed at noon, or I don’t have to get up after only catching a few hours of sleep.
I grab my phone, pulling up Lily’s name. I texted her last night when things started settling down and people were heading home. I figured she’d be asleep. It was close to two o’clock in the morning, but she responded within minutes. We tossed around ideas about what we’d do today, how she was tired but restless, and was worried because though she hadn’t had any new encounters with Chad, Lily felt like someone was watching her.
“Well, good morning, Mr. Byrd,” Lily’s chipper voice greets me on the other end.
“More like good afternoon. Fucking slept the day away. So much for us going out to lunch,” I grumble.
“That’s okay. I’m just getting back home from work myself. I had a few things to do around the house. Can I make a suggestion?” Lily’s voice has a rasp to it, something I’ve noticed comes out when she’s nervous.
“You let me know what you want to do, honey. I’ll be there every step of the way.”
“Can we hang out at your place? I’d really love to ride. It’s been so long since I’ve had the wind in my hair, smelling the fresh scent of the trees. I know we’re supposed to be seen around town, but I could really do with a low-key kind of day.” Shit, this is going to be harder to fake than anything I’ve ever had to do before, what with the way she understands my work schedule, how she loves to be outdoors. Lily may not know it yet, but the way she looks at me tells me everything that I need to know. This may be some kind of crazy scheme to get that dickhead Chad away from her, but it’s more than that. She just doesn’t know my intentions yet.
“We can do whatever you want, honey. Shoot me a text before you head over. I’m going to check on the horses. The neighbor feeds them, but they still demand attention from me, and I need to get their feed into the barn.” Not only that, I’d like to have the horses worked a bit, so they’re not crazy before we get on them. Even with Emma, my quarter horse, being in her teenage years, she still has some get up and go. Though the craziest one is Merle, a palomino with one green eye and one blue eye. He’s my best bud though, even if he gets spooked a time or two over a flag flying in the distance. No matter how many times I work with him, he can’t understand it’s nothing that will hurt him. Probably has something to do with him being a rescue. Who knows what happened in his past.
“Of course. I think I’m going to stop at the store and pick some stuff up for dinner. Anything in particular you want or don’t want?”
“Lily, I have food here. I may be a bachelor, but I have to eat sometime.” I look inside my fridge and wince. Maybe she’s right. “On second thought, you pick up whatever you feel like. We’ll cook together.”
“Haven’t grocery shopped yet?” She laughs, deep and throatily, causing me to shift my stance, my cock lengthening at the thought of hearing that happen while my mouth and hands taste and feel her body every way I can have her.
“Nope,” I respond, letting her bust my chops.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll take care of the food.”
“Bring me the receipt, honey. I’ll pay you back. Just because we’re not going out on the town doesn’t mean I’m not paying.” I’m secretly hoping she’ll wear another dress today, those boots encasing her legs, and getting a glimpse of her thighs while she’s sitting on the saddle.
“Beau.” I hear the annoyance in her tone.